MLB Player News

Ozuna is starting at DH and batting seventh Saturday against the Rangers.

This will be just the second start of the second half for Ozuna, and his first since Sunday. The veteran slugger is having a down year with a .751 OPS through 94 contests, and he's consequently lost his everyday role. Atlanta has been keeping the bats of backstops Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy in the lineup together by using one at DH in most games.

Murphy is not part of Atlanta's starting nine for Saturday's matchup against Texas.

Murphy started each of Atlanta's past four games -- either at catcher or DH -- but is getting a rest Saturday. Drake Baldwin is starting behind the plate, and Marcell Ozuna is getting a start at DH for the first time since Sunday.

The Reds optioned Mey to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Mey was called up Friday after fellow reliever Scott Barlow was placed on the paternity list, but with Barlow back with the club Saturday, Mey is heading back to Louisville. The righty didn't get into Friday's contest but has a good chance of being back with the big club at some point later this season if a spot in the bullpen opens up.

Cincinnati activated Barlow from the paternity list Saturday.

Barlow was placed on the paternity list Friday but is back with the team after just one day. Luis Mey, who was brought up from Triple-A to take Barlow's bullpen spot Friday, has been optioned back to the minors in a corresponding move.

Gonzales is not in Saturday's starting lineup versus Arizona.

Gonzales is getting his first rest since the All-Star break after going 0-for-14 with five strikeouts over his past three contests. Liover Peguero is starting at the keystone in Gonzales' stead Saturday.

The Rockies selected Bernabel's contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

The move was anticipated after Colorado traded long-time third baseman Ryan McMahon to the Yankees on Friday. Bernabel has put together a strong season with Albuquerque, slashing .301/.356/.450 with eight home runs, 45 RBI and five stolen bases over 75 games. He logged significant time at both third base and first base in the minors, but Bernabel will likely spend most of his time at the hot corner with the Rockies after McMahon's departure and could be given the opportunity to start on a frequent basis. Neither his power nor his speed are above average, so he'll likely need to hit for a high average to be an appealing fantasy asset.

The Diamondbacks recalled Garcia from Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Just two days after being traded from Seattle to Arizona, Garcia will join the big-league bullpen to replace Trevor Richards, who was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Garcia has turned in a 3.51 ERA and 1.38 WHIP through 33.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season, and he's given up one run over two innings so far in his MLB career.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Gorman (back) could begin a rehab assignment next week, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Gorman was placed on the 10-day injured list last weekend with a lower-back injury that first cropped up before the All-Star break. He was given a pain-killing injection Monday and has evidently responded well enough that he could be cleared for game action shortly. Because Gorman has not missed much time, his rehab assignment should be relatively brief, setting him up for an early-August return.

Nootbaar (ribs) could begin a rehab assignment early next week, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar began a hitting progression with soft toss and tee work Wednesday and looks to be trending in the right direction as he comes back from a left costochondral sprain. The outfielder has been sidelined since just before the All-Star break and shouldn't require too many rehab games before rejoining the Cardinals' active roster.

Koss (hamstring) began his rehab stint in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Thursday, and he went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI in the team's 7-3 win over the ACL Diamondbacks.

Koss played four innings at second base in his first rehab game, tallying two singles. The 27-year-old infielder was placed on the 10-day injured list July 1 due to a left hamstring strain. Before that, Koss had been solid as a reserve infielder for the Giants, slashing .265/.305/.357 with 12 runs scored, 12 RBI, two home runs and two stolen bases across 108 plate appearances.